Kevin Chavous. . .
A Mayor for every neighborhood

Governance

Q. As you know, there have been discussions about what form city government should take after DC financial control board goes out of existence. Describe the governmental structure that you believe would best serve the District and, specifically, what role, if any, professional city manager should play.

"I do not support any change in the structure of the District government that reduces the role of elected officials. Many citizens have fought for these rights and the District will not give up representation easily. The choice to make these structural changes belongs to District citizens — not the mayor — and must be made in open forum, ratified by referendum and clarified in law. As mayor, I will facilitate these the discussions.

More important, my task as mayor is to reconnect District citizens to their government. Citizens must understand their government and have effective say in its operation. Truly democratic governments have nothing to fear through greater public participation in the decision-making process.

After two years of balanced budgets, the District is moving rapidly toward return to elected government. We've paid over $20 million to consultants to verify what District citizens and civic organizations have already defined as our problems and solutions. It's time we got down and implemented the reforms and delivered the services our taxpayers expect. It's time we got over the belief that merely changing personalities or governing structures will ensure a viable reform."

Q. How will you improve the District's relationship with key members of Congress?

I have met and will continue to meet frequently with key members of Congress. I will lobby for true self-determination for the District and the right of our citizens to have the District run by their elected offcials. As Mayor I will represent the interests of the District before Congress and urge congressional action based on our recommendations.

Q. How can you improve the working relationship between the mayor, DC Council and the financial control board?

After two years of balanced budgets, the District is moving rapidly toward return to elected government. We've paid over $20 million to consultants to verify what District citizens and civic organizations have already defined as our problems and solutions. It's time we got down and implemented the reforms and delivered the services our taxpayers expect.

The last budget process illustrated that an improved working relationship between the three parties is possible and can be productive. As Mayor, I will emphasize centralized information flow and regularly scheduled meetings to streamline the working relationship between all parties and set goals for the implementation of the prescribed management reforms.